- About the Trail
- Exploring the Trail
- What is special about the Trail?
- Getting there
- Accommodation
Extending from the quintessentially English market town of Chipping Campden to the Roman city of Bath, the 102 mile (164 km) Cotswold Way has existed as a promoted long-distance walk and will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2020.
Following the western edge of the Cotswold Hills, the route journeys through rolling pastures, beech woodland and honey-coloured villages built from Cotswold stone.
You will explore ancient commons in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, pass Neolithic burial barrows, stately homes and historic battle sites. The stunning path along the Cotswold escarpment offers ever-changing views to the west towards the River Severn and the Malvern Hills.
Anyone who is reasonably fit can walk the Cotswold Way, although many walkers are surprised at the frequency of steep climbs.
The National Trail is very well way-marked so following the route is easy. But it is always a good idea to take a guidebook or map.
The Cotswold Way can be walked in all seasons. However, if you want to enjoy clear views from the Cotswold escarpment, then crisp winter days, autumn and spring may be the best time to visit. Late spring and early summer are great times to see the grasslands in all their glory and the beech woodlands are at their best in spring and autumn.
Renowned for its sheer diversity, the Cotswold Way incorporates some of England’s prettiest villages and passes historic sites such as the City of Bath World Heritage Site, the Neolithic burial chamber at Belas Knap, Sudeley Castle, Hailes Abbey and many churches and historic houses.
One minute you will be in wildflower meadows, the next shaded woodlands. You could breakfast in a sleepy village, lunch in a thriving market town and eat dinner under the stars – no two days will be the same!
By plane
By train
By bus
By car
This National Trail passes through the very best landscapes – places you may want to explore for several days at a time. From cosy country inns to characterful cottages, we’ve got your accommodation near the Cotswold Way covered. You can find accommodation along the trail by using our interactive map.